mountain

Reliefs-And-Ecosystems

2022

We explain what a mountain is, how they are formed and the parts that make it up. In addition, its climate, vegetation and the highest mountains.

Mountains generally rise more than 700 meters above their base.

What is a mountain?

A mountain is called a natural elevation of the terrain, a product of tectonic forces (orogenesis), which generally rise to more than 700 meters in height from its base. These topographic elevations are usually grouped into mountain ranges or saws, which can be short or prolonged over kilometers of distance.

The mountains have attracted the attention of human being from remote times, usually culturally associated with elevation, closeness to God (heaven) or as a metaphor for sustained efforts to obtain greater or better perspectives.

In fact, mountaineering is a sports activity associated with great physical demands and an enormous importance in our consideration regarding the known percentage of the planet.

There are many ways to classify mountains. For example, according to their height they can be classified into (from lowest to highest): hills, medium mountains and high mountains. Similarly, they can be classified according to their origin as: volcanic, folded (the product of a tectonic fault) or folded-fractured.

And, finally, mountain groups can be classified according to the way they are grouped: we speak of mountain ranges if they join longitudinally, and of massifs if they do so in a more compact or circular way.

Mountains cover a significant portion of the land surface: 53% of Asian continent, 25% of the European, 17% of the Australian and 3% of the African, for a total 24%. It is estimated that 10% of the population The human world inhabits mountains, and all the water in rivers is necessarily formed on top of their peaks.

Mountain formation

Mountains have their origin in deformations of the earth's crust.

The formation of mountains is called orogenesis, which are later modified by external factors such as erosion or tectonic movements.

Mountains have their origin in deformations of the earth's crust, usually at the meeting places of two tectonic plates that, when exercising force against each other, cause a folding of the lithosphere, which sends a vein down and another up, forming an elevation of different magnitude.

In certain cases, this shock process causes a layer to sink into the subsoil and be subjected to melting by high temperatures, forming magma that, later, can emerge towards the surface forming volcanoes.

Parts of the mountain

Mountains are usually made up of the following parts:

  • Foot or base. The lowest part of the formation, usually at the level of the I usually.
  • Summit, peak or cusp. The top and last part, where the mountain ends, reaching its highest possible height.
  • Hillside or skirt. The sloping portion of the mountain that connects the foot to the top.
  • Valley. The portion of slope that is between two peaks (two mountains) constituting a small depression or subsidence.

Mountain weather

At higher altitude, there is always lower temperature and lower atmospheric pressure.

The climates mountain ranges usually depend on two factors: the latitude where you are and how high the mountain reaches. A major altitudeThere is always a lower temperature and lower atmospheric pressure, at a usual rate of 5 ° C for each kilometer of altitude gained.

The same occurs with rainfall, more frequent at higher altitudes, so it is possible to find more humid areas at the top than in the plains, especially where the great rivers have their source. To continue the ascent, the humidity and the Water they turn to snow and eventually ice.

Mountain vegetation

When ascending, the lack of oxygen is felt and the vegetation loses size.

Mountain vegetation is highly dependent on the climate and location of the mountain. However, it is usually presented in a staggered manner, by steps, as one ascends the slope. Thus, in the lower floors, near the foot, the vegetation that is in the surrounding plains abounds, or woods mountain, with lush and tall trees.

But as you go up the species more resistant to cold, which take advantage of the reserves of humidity and the abundance of rainfall. Above the area of ​​trees, the lack of oxygen is felt and the vegetation loses size, returning to grassland, with shrubs and small grasses. The peaks therefore tend to be more arid, especially those covered with ice and snow.

The five tallest mountains

Mount Everest, at 8,846 meters high, is the highest mountain in the world.

The five highest mountains in the world are:

  • Mount Everest. At 8,846 meters high, it is the highest mountain in the world, located on the crest of the Himalayas.
  • Mountains K2. One of the most difficult mountains to climb in the world, at 8,611 meters above sea level. It is located between China and Pakistan.
  • Kachenjunga. Located between India and Nepal, it is 8,598 meters high. Its name translates as "The five treasures among the snows."
  • Aconcagua. At 6,962 meters high, this mountain located in the Argentine Andes, in the province of Mendoza, is the highest peak in America.
  • Nevado Ojos del Salado. It is a stratovolcano that is part of the Andes Mountains, on the border between Chile and Argentina. It is the highest volcano in the world, with 6891.3 meters high.
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